And just like that, another year is nearly gone. I can honestly say that this holiday allowed me to unpack some baggage I’d carried around a long time, and I’m a changed person from where I was just a week ago when the holiday began. I tend to get on a soapbox about this holiday because I feel like it gets shortchanged by a secular world that has figured out how to monetize and capitalize on “the holidays” when these things can be so much more. I’m not suggesting holidays need to be religious, either. A fervent connection to the materialistic is not always a good thing; even the idea of gift giving, while compassionate and noble, can put our focus perhaps too much on the material and not enough on the spiritual. We are truly spirits living in the material world, and as such, I can’t say this strongly enough: may all of our holidays be full of the light, and warmth, and joy, and compassion of friends and loved ones. Reach out to the people from your past, and let the light of this time of year guide you as you rebuild bridges. Take a moment to see beyond the frustrations of travel and family or work “obligations” and find that ounce of gratitude in each and every situation and interaction. The story of Chanukah tells us that the weak overtook the strong, to beat what were objectively insurmountable odds, only because the tiniest of pureness miraculously lasted longer than it should; let gratitude be that same thing. Hold tight to it - in the warmth of great company - and it will last longer and burn brighter than any feeling derived in the quest or the gifting of some widget or doodad. That gratitude will burn forever, filling your life with everything you’ll ever need: love. I love you all. Happy Chanukah. #happychanukah #happyhanukkah #chanukah #hanukkah #chanukah2018 #hanukkah2018
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